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The Evil Dead

1983·Movie
1h 25min·NC-17
IMDb7.3Metacritic717.9Rotten Tomatoes85%84%

Where to watch

HBO MaxFawesomeSony Pictures Core

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

The Evil Dead fingerprint

Relentless energy, striking style, emotionally cool.

Energy

Nerve-racking and terrifying

Fast from start to finish.

  • Tension10
  • Scare9
  • Violence9

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Catharsis5
  • Pathos4
  • Melancholy3

Humor

Some dark humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor6
  • Absurdist Humor4
  • Physical Comedy2

World

The mind

Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.

  • Rewatchability9
  • World Immersion8
  • Novelty8

Craft

Standout direction

  • Direction9
  • Acting7
  • Narrative Structure7

Style

Standout sound design, cinematography, and editing

A distinctive visual signature.

  • Sound Centrality9
  • Cinematography8
  • Editing8

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchSolo Watch

Skip it if

You need an uplifting moodGraphic violence bothers youYou scare easilyYou want something quiet and calm

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Scary movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

The ultimate experience in gruelling terror.

In 1979, a group of college students find a Sumerian Book of the Dead in an old wilderness cabin they've rented for a weekend getaway.
Cult Horror ClassicRelentless Supernatural TerrorCabin in the Woods TropeVisceral Practical EffectsPsychological DegradationUnsettling AtmosphereGore-Driven HorrorIconic Indie Horror

Crew

Directed by:
Sam Raimi
Written by:
Sam Raimi
Produced by:
Bruce Campbell, Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert
Composed by:
Joseph LoDuca, Josh Becker, Lou Kleinman

Sequels and Prequels

GoodWatch77
Poster for The Evil Dead

Media

Questions about The Evil Dead

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Evil Dead legally?

HBO MaxFawesomeSony Pictures Core

The Evil Dead is included with a subscription to HBO Max in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Fawesome. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Evil Dead worth watching?

77
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 78/100 (IMDb 7.3, Rotten Tomatoes 85%, and Metacritic 71). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Evil Dead rated?

NC-17ViolenceNudityDisturbing imagery

It's rated NC-17 in the United States. Content advisories: violence, nudity, and disturbing imagery.

How long is The Evil Dead?

1 h 25 min

The Evil Dead runs 1 h 25 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Evil Dead?

Critics78
Audiences79

Yes. Critics average 78 and audiences 79 out of 100, so both groups see The Evil Dead much the same way.

Was The Evil Dead a box office hit?

Budget$350,000
Box office$29 million

Yes, a big one. It cost about $350,000 to make and earned $29 million worldwide, 84.0 times its budget.

What language is The Evil Dead in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Evil Dead?

89AGAOARATAUAZBBBEBFBGBOBRBSBY+75

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Evil Dead in 89 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Evil Dead use?

Eye ScreamAll Just a DreamForeshadowingCovers Always LieCall-BackHope SpotWould Hit a GirlMonochromatic EyesComic-Book AdaptationDramatic Curtain TossPossession LevitationMetafictional Titleand 47 more

TV Tropes lists 59 storytelling tropes for The Evil Dead, including Eye Scream, All Just a Dream, Foreshadowing.